240: The Battle Maiden Wants to Study Abroad (3)
“Have you decided which school you want to attend yet?”
Natalie asked.
“I have been eyeing one. However, I want to experience the place, not just inspect it, so I want to avoid being welcomed as the Dragon Empress.”
“You want to go as a commoner? That’s even better.”
“Huh?”
Vissel casually interrupted Jill with some ominous words. He still maintained his refreshing smile.
“I’ll make the arrangements. Leave it to me.”
“This is really making me uneasy. Is there something happening in the Grand Duchy of Leica?”
“Unfortunately, there’s none. But we have a brother there.”
“Eh?”
“Our youngest brother, Lutiya Theos Rave. His mother was a princess of Leica, making him the grandson of the Grand Duke of Leica. He’s been residing there since his birth… He’s probably around the same age as Jill.”
Natalie told Jill, who was taken aback. Frida, who had a stern look on her face, muttered to herself.
“I have… another brother?”
“I wonder.”
Vissel scoffed maliciously.
“He hasn’t given up his right to the throne. He’s the next Grand Duke of Leica, and he has spent most of his life there. None of us, let alone Hades, have never met him. He’s more of a prince of Leica than a member of the Rave royal family. It’s only possible because of the prestige of the Rave Empire, though. I wonder how the Grand Duke of Leica reacted to the truth behind the Rave royal lineage.”
Despite being the Dragon Emperor, Hades had no blood ties to the previous emperor. In other words, the present Rave royal family hadn’t descended from the Dragon God. This was made public about six months ago.
“I haven’t heard anything good about him to begin with. Some say he’s selfish, taking advantage of the fact that he’s a prince of the Rave Empire. But recently, I haven’t heard any complaints about his behavior.”
“…Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Who knows. The last time I heard about him was when he was admitted into the military academy. This was right after the announcement of the Rave royal family’s true lineage.”
Jill wordlessly stared at Vissel, and he did the same. If the report was true, that would be fine, but the timing of the report did seem to suggest that he had cut ties with the Rave royal family.
Jill sighed, realizing why Vissel wasn’t against her studying abroad.
“In other words, you want me to attend the same school as him and look into the situation.”
“Killing two birds with one stone, right? If you were to introduce yourself as the Dragon Empress, people would be wary of you. This will also fulfill your wishes.”
“Okay, that’s fine. In return, please prepare the necessary paperwork.”
“Fine, but you have one more job to do.”
“What else is there?”
“Don’t be like that. My precious little brother, your beloved fiancé, is against it.”
Jill looked up in surprise. Before she knew it, Hades had moved to a corner of the room. His back was facing her as he huddled his knees.
“They’re ignoring me and moving on with their own agendas… No one is on my side…”
Jill rushed in a panic, laughing and staring blankly.
“Y-Your Majesty, it’s just for a little while. I’ll be back soon.”
“Three months isn’t a ‘little while’ at all! Can you stand being away from me for that long, Jill?”
“I-I know it will be lonely, but…”
“You two can discuss it between yourselves. I’ll get ready.”
“Please help me persuade His Majesty!”
Jill turned around without thinking, and Vissel smiled back at her gently.
“It’s a marital issue. I wouldn’t want to get kicked by a horse.”
Following Vissel, Hades’ other siblings also retreated from the office, not wanting to get involved. Being left to her own devices, Jill wanted to clutch her head.
“…Do you really want to go that badly?”
Hades asked quietly, sulking in the corner of the room.
Jill made it so she could stare into his eyes.
“I-I don’t want to leave Your Majesty. I want to be with you, forever if I can.”
She carefully chose her words, hoping that it wouldn’t lead to any misunderstandings.
“But in order to do that, I need to make some achievements during this time of peace. Before, I thought that having a tremendous amount of magical power would suffice to protect Your Majesty. However, if my value solely lies on protecting Your Majesty, I’ll end up just like the previous Dragon Empresses.”
In truth, it wasn’t enough to keep Hades safe. The scenes she saw form the previous Dragon Empresses taught her that much.
“That’s why I want to try a lot of different things. It’s possible that in the end, I might end up believing that protecting His Majesty is my most important responsibility, and leave the rest to you. Still, it’s better than not doing anything from the start—Your Majesty?”
Suddenly being pulled into a hug, Jill tilted her head. Hades took a deep breath and groaned.
“When you put it that way, doesn’t it sound like I’m a petty husband whose hindering my bride’s success?”
“…That’s not true, probably.”
“Probably?”
He narrowed his eyes at her, and Jill smiled wryly. Before he could sulk, she reached out and embraced his head.
“I’ll soon become a fine Dragon Empress—a bride that His Majesty can be proud of.”
“Now, you’re basically saying that you’ll still go even if I’m against it…”
“Didn’t you know that already?”
“I didn’t! In the end, I’m just a narrow-minded husband who gets in the way of his bride’s success,!”
“I like that troublesome side of you, Your Majesty.”
Hades suddenly became stern.
“Haven’t you been trying to manipulate me lately…?”
“Well, I’m going to become His Majesty’s wife, so I have to be able to manipulate you at least this much. I’m sure you understand, Your Majesty. I need merit.”
At the end of the day, Hades was the emperor. He was lonely and hungry for love, but he wouldn’t be blinded by his emotions.
“… I don’t, and I don’t want to understand. I’d rather have you by my side.”
It was a bit troubling that he was being stubborn until the very end. Nevertheless, it was proof that he wanted to be with her, so she couldn’t be harsh with him.
“But, Your Majesty—…”
Hence, she lowered her voice, as if telling him a secret.
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***T/N: The Returnee Noble Lady will win Vissel this time
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